Here is an article about the BTK (Bind Torture Kill) killer who is serving 10 consecutive life sentences in a Kansas prison.
His existence is basically 23 hours a day in his 8 x 10' cell, one hour out of the cell to shower or excercise, 5 days a week. Recently, he has earned privileges for his good behavior which may include - being able read and draw in his cell, watching television & listening to the radio.
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Prosecutors had sought restrictions on such activities, saying images of women and children and news accounts of his murders would allow Dennis Rader to relive his grisly, sex-fueled fantasies.
One victim's Mother states
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"I just don't think he needs anything in that little cell,"
Link to the article, but my question is not really about Mr. BTK in particular, we had some similar outcry a few years back when a report surfaced that Paul Bernardo (Canadian school girl killer) had a TV in his cell.
My question is, basically, how do you feel about conditions in prison? - are privileges like Television a bit much? or is it not a big deal and behavioral reward is a good idea? or anything else you care to share on the subject.
My personal view on this: I'm all for books for prisoners, and a means to communicate with their loved ones (writing, visitations etc) Music, I don't have a problem with that either. I am iffy on the TV simply because I am not 100% sure on what prisoners may and may not watch.
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Last edited by Legs; 04-24-2006 at 10:40 PM.
Reason: typo city
It's such an open ended question that I feel to approach side-ways with another question: 'what does the system want to achieve by locking him up'? Containment or rehabilitation?
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Any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in Mankind;
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee. (John Donne)
Seeing as how he is going to serve life in prison, rehabilitation isn't really in the picture. However, I don't see anything wrong with rewarding good behavior. It helps keep prison personnel alive and well. Besides, if television is the people's opiate, why not keep prisoners doped up and cooperative with it?
There is no DP in Kansas, he got the max, but even if he did get the DP. Death Row is a long wait and the same question applies - for good behavior should they get TV, etc... as in the OP?
There is no DP in Kansas, he got the max, but even if he did get the DP. Death Row is a long wait and the same question applies - for good behavior should they get TV, etc... as in the OP?
Ah, I did not know that about Kansas. Interesting really. Thanks.
I think in the case of a serial killer that what they are be able to earn should be limited. I think what they can earn should be limited by what they were convicted for, length of sentence, things of that nature.
Thanks. I think it gets back to the question that was asked about the purpose of the imprisonment. If a person is there say for only 5 years or so, then they should be given all of the tools that they need to be rehabilitated. I don't think any expense should be spared.
But if a person is a lifer or on death row, then it should be punishment and their rewards should be limited.
However, its death penalty statute was ruled unconstitutional by the Kansas Supreme Court in December, 2004. The state of Kansas appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and the Court granted certiorari last May. After several months of further litigation involving, among other things, clarification of the questions presented, the case, Kansas v. Marsh, was argued last December, and in fact, reargument is scheduled for tomorrow, April 25.
The questions presented are as follows:
1) Does it violate the Constitution for a state capital sentencing statute to provide for the imposition of the death penalty when the sentencing jury determines that the mitigating and aggravating evidence is in equipoise?
2) Does this Court have jurisdiction to review the judgment of the Kansas Supreme Court [citations omitted]?
3) Was the Kansas Supreme Court's judgment adequately supported by a ground independent of federal law?
In the meantime the Kansas Supreme Court's decision is stayed.
BTK's were not capital crimes because they were committed prior to the reinstatement of the death penalty in Kansas in 1994.
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Last edited by D. Scarlatti; 04-25-2006 at 07:43 AM.
Reason: clarification
Seeing as how he is going to serve life in prison, rehabilitation isn't really in the picture. However, I don't see anything wrong with rewarding good behavior.
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Originally Posted by Joe
If a person is there say for only 5 years or so, then they should be given all of the tools that they need to be rehabilitated. I don't think any expense should be spared.
I'm not sure DesertDweller was wondering how people felt about it or not.
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'what does the system want to achieve by locking him up'?
I can't speak for the system, but Joe & Dingfod summed up how I feel about it in their posts.
oh hell i shouldn't get started here. i did corrections for a long time before hitting the road. i started out being so nice to prisoners i was laughed at by my FTO. i never stopped being human and kind. but damn i learned a lot. cons are just that, cons. they consider human decency a weakness. should this horrible piece of human excrement who raped and murdered a woman while her kids were locked in the bathroom have a TV? fuck no. he shouldn't have any amenities in life. that warden ought to have his alleged balls cut off.
and now that i did get wound up...the credo of corrections is care, custody and control. that's it. we have a duty. to take care of the bastards we have in custody. they get medical care that most of us out here can't afford. give them a TV??? oh fuck no. we as taxpayers pay for their doctors, surgeries, childbirths and dentistry. shit, i can't afford all that.
hi! nice to see you again! if people really want to know what prison is like i would love to start a thread about it. but i am not sure if there is interest in my passion, criminals. wait, that didn't sound right. criminology. i love it.
Privileges for the incarcerated
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